A Crime That Shakes Barrio Enrique Julio
On the night of Sunday, August 23, 2026, a violent incident shook the Barrio Enrique Julio neighborhood of Bahía Blanca, a port city in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. Walter Vilchez, 54, was fatally shot in the neck at a home on Manuela Pedraza at 400, in a precarious area of the neighborhood. The alleged perpetrator, Alberto Zanabria, 34, was arrested and held at the First Police Station.
How It Happened
According to initial investigations, both men had been drinking alcohol since the afternoon (around 7 PM) when, at some point during the night, an argument broke out. In that context, Zanabria allegedly fired a shot that struck Vilchez in the neck, killing him instantly.
The incident was discovered around 10 PM, when the suspect himself called 911 to report a dead person at his home. When police arrived, they found the victim's body in the yard of the house.
Attempt to Cover Up and Contradictory Accounts
Investigators suspect that, after the attack, Zanabria tried to clean the scene and hide the body. When he failed, he contacted emergency services and gave different versions of what happened, which raised police suspicions.
Seized Evidence
Inside the home, officers from the Patrol Command seized several items of interest to the case:
- A .32 caliber revolver brand DV, with five intact bullets and two spent casings.
- Clothing and footwear with blood stains.
- Alcoholic beverage containers, some empty and others showing signs of recent consumption.
The House Fire
On the morning of Monday, August 24, a fire destroyed the makeshift sheet-metal house where the crime occurred. It is presumed the fire was intentional, though circumstances are still under investigation. No one was present at the time of the fire, and firefighters and police worked at the scene. It is unknown whether the fire is linked to the homicide.
Judicial Intervention
The case is in the hands of the UFIJ Nº 5 (Unidad Funcional de Instrucción y Juicio), with prosecutor Jorge Viego leading the investigation. Commissioners Gonzalo Bezos, Gonzalo Sandobal, and José Luis Obechaka were also present, along with Deputy Minister Federico Montero.
Zanabria was transferred and held at the First Police Station for safety reasons, while proceedings continue to determine how the homicide occurred and the circumstances of the fire.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Victim: Walter Vilchez, 54
- Suspect: Alberto Zanabria, 34
- Date of crime: August 23, 2026, around 10 PM
- Location: Manuela Pedraza 400, Barrio Enrique Julio, Bahía Blanca
- Weapon: .32 caliber revolver
- Fire: August 24, 2026, morning